Candela P-8 Voyager is an electric boat that flies over the water

Today, the Swedish company Candela is rightly considered the world leader in the production of electric hydrofoil boats. Its extensive experience has allowed it to develop the unique P-8 Voyager vessel. Thanks to hydrofoil technology, the Candela P-8 Voyager can fly over water at high speeds.

The Candela P-8 Voyager is the first boat with a long range, allowing its passengers to travel through wave-sensitive urban canals or over delicate coral reefs quietly, efficiently, and without leaving a trace.

The Candela P-8 Voyager is based on the popular Candela C-8 electric boat (the next video will be about it). It uses a similar hydrofoil technology that can change the angle of inclination, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 30 knots (almost 56 km/h).

The vessel is ideal for areas where boats have a particularly hard time maneuvering due to strong rocking. One of these areas, by the way, is Venice, where the P-8 Voyager was presented.

Traditional speedboats have large internal combustion engines and consume a huge amount of gasoline. When their hulls displace water, waves are created that erode shorelines and damage coral reefs and other vulnerable ecosystems. Other problems include oil spills, emissions, and noise pollution.

According to reports on the Great Barrier Reef, boat engine noise can even lead to premature fish deaths due to stress.

Although the adverse impact of motorboats is well-known, there was no sustainable alternative, that is, until now. With six passengers and two crew members, the Candela P-8 Voyager electric boat takes commercial water transport to a new level.

The Candela P-8 Voyager is built in Sweden using revolutionary computer-controlled hydrofoils that reduce energy consumption by 80% compared to traditional motorboats. Gliding above the water, the vessel consumes only about 25 kW from its engine at a cruising speed of 20 knots (37 km/h).

The hydrofoils are the key to achieving a long range and high speed for electric boats. The P-8 Voyager electric boat has a range 2–3 times greater than any other electric speedboat. But the great benefit of this technology is the preservation of the fragile marine environment, as the vessel's movement is barely noticeable to underwater inhabitants.

"It's absurd to travel through beautiful and fragile ecosystems from Venice to the Bahamas in speedboats that burn 200 liters of gasoline per hour and create huge wakes. With the new Candela P-8 Voyager electric boat, we wanted to create a no-compromise electric exploration vessel. You have the performance, you can cruise for more than 2 hours, but with virtually no negative environmental impact," says Erik Eklund, Candela's Commercial Vessels Director.

The C-FOIL hydrofoil system for this boat was developed by more than 50 Candela engineers with experience in drone manufacturing, aerospace, and software. At a speed of 16 knots (almost 30 km/h), the onboard flight controller automatically changes the wing's angle of attack to provide the lift needed for takeoff. The C-FOIL wings create a wave of no more than 5 centimeters.

For passengers traveling in the air-conditioned P-8 Voyager cabin, seasickness is a thing of the past. The active hydrofoils adjust 100 times per second using sensors and computers to ensure a smooth ride even on waves.

The ultra-compact C-POD engine was specifically developed for the company's hydrofoil boats. The dual submersible motors directly drive the propellers, which rotate in opposite directions. There is no transmission, meaning no noise, no oil, no coolant, and no need for maintenance. Watch a short video about its design below.

The Candela C-POD is the most efficient and durable boat engine ever created. The manufacturer claims that the 50 kW C-POD motor can operate for 3,000 hours without maintenance. This is very noticeable compared to internal combustion engines, which require maintenance every 100 hours. When docking, the vessel's hydrofoils retract into the hull for easy storage and docking, as well as to prevent marine growth on them.

The range on a single charge is stated to be up to 90 km at a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h). At a higher speed (22 knots), the range is 40 nautical miles (74 km). The vessel is equipped with the most advanced boat battery ever created. The 69 kWh battery combines a long electric range with the fastest charging time. Charging takes 40 minutes at 50 kW DC. For example, a full charge is enough to cruise the entire San Francisco Bay.

The production of the Candela P-8 Voyager boat began at the end of 2022. The cost is 450,000 euros.

Meanwhile, the company promises to launch the Candela P-12 passenger electric hydrofoil shuttle at the end of 2023. It will join the Stockholm public transport ferry fleet in 2024 as a pilot on one of its main routes. Being 400% more energy-efficient than any other fast vessel, the Candela P-12 consumes less energy per passenger-kilometer than a hybrid electric bus.